A natural wax-like substance secreted by special glands in the skin on the outer part of the ear canal. It repels water, and traps dust and sand particles. Usually a small amount of wax accumulates, and then dries up and falls out of the ear canal carrying with it unwanted particles. Ear wax is helpful in normal amounts and serves to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection. There are two types of ear wax: wet and dry. Most whites and blacks have the wet type while most Asians and Native Americans have the dry type. The gene for wet ear wax on chromosome 16 appears to predispose to breastcancer.

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NaturalNot human-induced or manmade.

SkinSkin is an organ of the integumentary system; which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. Skin is used for insulation, vitamin D production, sensation, and excretion (through sweat).

InfectionAnything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.

Gene1. A unit of DNA that carries information for the biosynthesis of a specific product in the cell. 2. Ultimate unit by which inheritable characteristics are transmitted to succeeding generations in all living organisms. Genes are contained by, and arranged along the length of, the chromosome. The gene is composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each chromosome of each species has a definite number and arrangement of genes, which govern both the structure and metabolic functions of the cells and thus of the entire organism.

ChromosomeA structural unit within a eukaryotic nucleus that carries genes. A chromosome consists of a long, continuous strand of DNA and associated proteins.

BreastThe breast refers to the front of the chest or, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland. It is composed largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. These ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The ducts exit the breast at the nipple.

CancerAny malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream.

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Ear AcupunctureAcupuncture therapy by inserting needles in the ear. It is used to control pain and for treating various ailments.

Ear AcupuncturesAcupuncture therapy by inserting needles in the ear. It is used to control pain and for treating various ailments.

Ear bonesThe malleus, incus, and stapes.

Ear canal, self-cleaningMost of the time the ear canals are self-cleaning, that is, there is a slow and orderly migration of ear canal skin from the eardrum to the outer opening. Old earwax is constantly being transported from the deeper areas of the ear canal to the opening where it usually dries, flakes, and falls out.

Ear CancerTumors or cancer of the internal, external, or middle ear.

Ear CancersTumors or cancer of the internal, external, or middle ear.

Ear CartilageCartilages of the auricle (pinna) and the external acoustic meatus.

Ear CartilagesCartilages of the auricle (pinna) and the external acoustic meatus.

Ear cleaning (by a doctor)When so much wax accumulates that it blocks the ear canal (and hearing), your physician may have to wash it out, vacuum it, or remove it with special instruments. Alternatively, your physician may prescribe ear drops what are designed to soften the wax (such as Cerumenex).

Ear cleaning (yourself)Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear! Wax is not formed in the deep part of the ear canal near the eardrum, but only in the outer part of the canal. So when a patient has wax pushed up against the eardrum, it is often because he has been probing his ear with such things as cotton-tipped swabs (such as Q-Tips), bobby pins, or twisted napkin corners. Such objects only serve as ramrods to push the wax in deeper. Also, the skin of the ear canal and the eardrum is very thin, fragile and easily injured. The ear canal is more prone to infection after it has been whipped clean of the "good" coating type wax. In addition, we have seen many perforated eardrums as a result of these efforts.

Ear Deformities, AcquiredDistortion or disfigurement of the ear caused by disease or injury after birth.

Ear Deformity, AcquiredDistortion or disfigurement of the ear caused by disease or injury after birth.

Ear DiseaseDiseases of the ear, general or unspecified.

Ear DiseasesDiseases of the ear, general or unspecified.

Ear Effusion, MiddleInflammation of the middle ear with a clear pale yellow-colored transudate.

Ear Effusions, MiddleInflammation of the middle ear with a clear pale yellow-colored transudate.

Ear Implant, MiddleAn implant used to replace one or more of the ear ossicles. They are usually made of plastic, Gelfoam, ceramic, or stainless steel.

Ear Implants, MiddleAn implant used to replace one or more of the ear ossicles. They are usually made of plastic, Gelfoam, ceramic, or stainless steel.

Ear infection, middle (acute)Acute middle ear infection, medically called acute otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear. Acute otitis media typically causes fluid in the middle ear accompanied by signs or symptoms of ear infection: a bulging eardrum usually accompanied by pain; or a perforated eardrum, often with drainage of purulent material (pus).

Ear NeoplasmTumors or cancer of the internal, external, or middle ear.

Ear NeoplasmsTumors or cancer of the internal, external, or middle ear.

Ear piercingThe practice of using a needle or needle gun to make holes through the ear lobe or other parts of the ear for wearing jewelry. When done under hygienic conditions, there is little danger from ear piercing other than localized and transitory inflammation. Unhygienic conditions, handling the new piercing with unwashed hands, or the use of irritating jewelry can result in inflammation and/or infection. Infected ear piercings should be washed and then treated with antibiotic cream. One may choose to either allow the piercing to close or to use only non-irritating jewelry (usually gold or hypoallergenic plastic). The likelihood of inflammation and infection is greater for piercings that go through hard cartilage, as found on the side and top of the outer ear, than with the soft bottom lobe of the ear.

Ear pitTiny pit in front of the ear: preauricular pit. A minor anomaly of no great consequence in itself. More common in blacks than whites and in females than males. Can recur in families. The presence of 2 or more minor anomalies in a child increases the probability that the child has a major malformation.

Ear Protective DevicePersonal devices for protection of the ears from loud or high intensity noise, water, or cold. These include earmuffs and earplugs.

Ear Protective DevicesPersonal devices for protection of the ears from loud or high intensity noise, water, or cold. These include earmuffs and earplugs.

Ear puncturePuncture of the ear drum may be due to an accident for example when something is stuck into the ear. Or it may be due to fluid pressure in the middle ear. Today the ear drum is occasionally punctured on purpose with surgery. A surgically placed tiny incision (a myringotomy) is made in the eardrum. Any fluid, usually thickened secretions, is removed and an ear tube may be inserted.

Ear ringingTogether with other abnormal ear noises, ear ringing is medically called tinnitus. Tinnitus can arise in any of the four sections of the ear: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the brain. It can be due to many causes including ear infection, fluid in the ears, Meniere syndrome, medications such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aging, and ear trauma (such as from the noise of planes, firearms, or loud music). In rare situations, tinnitus may reflect an aneurysm or an acoustic neuroma (a benign tumor on the acoustic nerve). Woodwind players are more likely to experience tinnitus than other orchestral players, probably because they usually sit just in front of the brass. If tinnitus persists and its cause is unknown, a hearing test (audiogram) should be done. Measures can be taken to lessen the intensity of tinnitus or to mask it.

Ear tagCommon minor anomaly, a rudimentary tag of ear tissue, often containing a core cartilage, usually located just in front of the ear (auricle). Therefore also called preauricular tag. The presence of 2 or more minor anomalies in a child increases the probability that the child has a major malformation.

Ear tubesFormally known as tympanostomy tubes, ear tubes are small plastic tubes inserted into the eardrum (the tympanum) to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time. To put the tubes in place, a myringotomy (a surgically placed tiny incision in the eardrum) is done. Any fluid, usually thickened secretions, will be removed. The ear tubes usually remain in place for 6 months to several years. Water should not be allowed to enter the ear canal while the tubes are in place. Eventually, they will move out of the eardrum (extrude) and fall into the ear canal. The doctor may remove the tube during a routine future office visit or it may simply fall out of the ear without the child realizing it.

Ear Ventilation, MiddleVentilation of the middle ear in the treatment of secretory (serous) otitis media, usually by placement of tubes or grommets which pierce the tympanic membrane.

Ear Ventilations, MiddleVentilation of the middle ear in the treatment of secretory (serous) otitis media, usually by placement of tubes or grommets which pierce the tympanic membrane.

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Ear puncturePuncture of the ear drum may be due to an accident for example when something is stuck into the ear. Or it may be due to fluid pressure in the middle ear. Today the ear drum is occasionally punctured on purpose with surgery. A surgically placed tiny incision (a myringotomy) is made in the eardrum. Any fluid, usually thickened secretions, is removed and an ear tube may be inserted.

Ear ringingTogether with other abnormal ear noises, ear ringing is medically called tinnitus. Tinnitus can arise in any of the four sections of the ear: the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, and the brain. It can be due to many causes including ear infection, fluid in the ears, Meniere syndrome, medications such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aging, and ear trauma (such as from the noise of planes, firearms, or loud music). In rare situations, tinnitus may reflect an aneurysm or an acoustic neuroma (a benign tumor on the acoustic nerve). Woodwind players are more likely to experience tinnitus than other orchestral players, probably because they usually sit just in front of the brass. If tinnitus persists and its cause is unknown, a hearing test (audiogram) should be done. Measures can be taken to lessen the intensity of tinnitus or to mask it.

Ear tagCommon minor anomaly, a rudimentary tag of ear tissue, often containing a core cartilage, usually located just in front of the ear (auricle). Therefore also called preauricular tag. The presence of 2 or more minor anomalies in a child increases the probability that the child has a major malformation.

Ear tubesFormally known as tympanostomy tubes, ear tubes are small plastic tubes inserted into the eardrum (the tympanum) to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time. To put the tubes in place, a myringotomy (a surgically placed tiny incision in the eardrum) is done. Any fluid, usually thickened secretions, will be removed. The ear tubes usually remain in place for 6 months to several years. Water should not be allowed to enter the ear canal while the tubes are in place. Eventually, they will move out of the eardrum (extrude) and fall into the ear canal. The doctor may remove the tube during a routine future office visit or it may simply fall out of the ear without the child realizing it.

Ear wax

Ear, cauliflowerAn acquired deformity of the external ear to which wrestlers and boxers are particularly vulnerable.

Ear, externalThere are three sections of the ear. They are the external ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The external ear looks complicated but it is functionally the simplest part of the ear. It consists of the pinna or auricle (the visible projecting portion of the ear), the external acoustic meatus (the outside opening to the ear canal), and the external ear canal that leads to the ear drum. In sum, there is the pinna, the meatus and the canal. And the external ear has only to concentrate air vibrations on the ear drum and make the drum vibrate. The external ear is also called the outer ear.

Ear, foreign object inA foreign object in the external ear canal. Foreign objects are often placed in the ear by young children or by accident while trying to clean or scratch the ear. There is often an accompanying external ear infection.

Ear, innerThere are three sections of the ear. They are the external ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The inner ear is far and away the most highly complex. The essential component of the inner ear for hearing is the membranous labyrinth where the fibers of the auditory nerve (the nerve connecting the ear to the brain) end. The membranous labyrinth is a system of communicating sacs and ducts (tubes) filled with fluid (the endolymph). The membranous labyrinth is lodged within a cavity called the bony labyrinth. At some points the membranous labyrinth is attached to the bony labyrinth and at other points the membranous labyrinth is suspended in a fluid (the perilymph) within the bony labyrinth. The bony labyrinth has three parts: a central cavity (the vestibule), semicircular canals (which open into the vestibule) and the cochlea (a snail-shaped spiral tube). The membranous labyrinth also has a vestibule which consists of two sacs (called the utriculus and sacculus) connected by a narrow tube. The larger of the two sacs, the utriculus, is the principal organ of the vestibular system or system of balance. This system informs us about the position and movement of the head. The smaller of the two sacs, the sacculus, is also connected by membranous tube to the cochlea that contains the organ of Corti. The hair cells, which are the special sensory receptors for hearing, are found within the organ of Corti. The inner ear is also called the internal ear.

Ear, internalThere are three sections of the ear. They are the external ear, the middle ear, and the internal ear. The internal ear is far and away the most highly complex. The essential component of the internal ear for hearing is the membranous labyrinth where the fibers of the auditory nerve (the nerve connecting the ear to the brain) end. The membranous labyrinth is a system of communicating sacs and ducts (tubes) filled with fluid (the endolymph). The membranous labyrinth is lodged within a cavity called the bony labyrinth. At some points the membranous labyrinth is attached to the bony labyrinth and at other points the membranous labyrinth is suspended in a fluid (the perilymph) within the bony labyrinth. The bony labyrinth has three parts: a central cavity (the vestibule), semicircular canals (which open into the vestibule) and the cochlea (a snail-shaped spiral tube). The membranous labyrinth also has a vestibule which consists of two sacs (called the utriculus and sacculus) connected by a narrow tube. The utriculus, the larger of the two sacs, is the principal organ of the vestibular system (which informs us about the position and movement of the head). The smaller of the two sacs, the sacculus (literally, the little sac) is connected with a membranous tube in the cochlea containing the organ of Corti. It is in the organ of Corti that are situated the hair cells, the special sensory receptors for hearing. The internal ear is also called the inner ear.

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